The craft beer movement has taken the world by storm with no signs of slowing down. One of the best aspects of brewing small batches of beer is being able to come up with unique and interesting flavor profiles. The possibilities are quite literally endless when it comes to choosing different spices, flavors, and tastes. The best way to discover newer and bolder combinations is by experimenting with trial and error - something the craft breweries we feature each month are experts at. Throw a bunch of things together and you never know what may come out!
If you’re interested in which additional ingredients brewers can add to a beer, or if you want to try your hand at creating your own brews, continue reading!
We’ll discuss the best ways to bring bold, fresh flavors to beer by including fruit purees paired with other spices. We’ll take a little of the guesswork away by introducing you to solid flavor combinations that are unique and proven to taste delicious.
Use Fresh Fruit Purees
Adding fresh fruit purees to your batches can dramatically transform the flavor profile of any beer you’re making. Consider utilizing these fruit purees that are kept in aseptic packaging. You can choose from a wide variety of fresh fruits that are packaged to last a long time, and they don’t need to be refrigerated. Aseptic food processing is when the food is sterilized in high heat before being put into the container, which eliminates the possibility of bacterial growth.
It’s one of the safest ways to use packaged food because it ensures your food is 100% safe and free from harmful pathogens. Plus, it’s a great way to stock up on unique flavors, like passion fruit, papaya, blood orange, and lime!
Read on to discover which fruits pair best with the spices below to transform your batches of beer.
Cinnamon
As the weather turns colder, you’ll notice an influx of cinnamon flavored things hitting the markets. Cinnamon is a warm and comforting spice that evokes memories of baking during the holidays. Sure, it makes a great flavor for delicious baked goods, but you should also consider adding it to your brews to create totally unique beers.
Cinnamon pairs well with fresh fruit purees like apple, peach, and oranges. You could create something sweet and reminiscent of holiday baked goods, or go for something slightly fruity and bitter. Mix and match with different fruits to create a cinnamon beer that is bold and delicious. It pairs really well with heavier Belgian Ales or lighter lagers! It’s a truly versatile spice.
Peppermint
Also considered a ‘cold month’ flavor, peppermint is not something you would usually find in your beers. But you absolutely should! It pairs really well with berries, like raspberry, blueberry and strawberry, as well as citrus fruits like oranges and limes. Consider using those fruit purees with peppermint spices and you’ll create super interesting and complex beer flavor profiles.
Peppermint pairs well with Porters and lagers to help you get started brewing delicious and refreshing beers!
Ginger Root
You’ve probably heard of ginger beer before. It’s a non-alcoholic beverage that has a robust and spicy flavor and tastes excellent when added to different cocktails or enjoyed on its own. Ginger root makes a bold and fresh flavor choice for any drink it’s added to, so it would also make an especially great addition to a batch of beer containing alcohol. Consider pairing ginger root with fresh fruit purees like apples, oranges, blueberries and even peaches. It adds a complex and spicy kick that makes a deliciously bold drink.
Ginger root is a super fresh flavor and would pair well with different fruits to create Belgian Ales.
Lemon Peels
Citrus flavors make great beers because they’re fresh tasting and pair well with tons of different spices. Consider adding lemon peels or spices to your brews to create delicious and bold beers. Citrus spices can make IPAs, Belgian beers, or wheat beers taste great with tropical fruits, peaches, and other citrus fruits.
You can’t go wrong when you incorporate lemon peels or spices into your batch of beer! Start experimenting with flavor pairings to create the fresh and crisp lemon beer of your dreams.
Sage
Sage is another unexpected flavor to consider adding to your batch of beer, but hear us out on this one. Sage has a super strong aroma and can make an incredibly bold beer if you pair it with the right kinds of fruits! It would go really well with fresh pineapple puree, as well as apples. Give this complex flavor a try and you could end up with your next new favorite beer!
Sage can be added to make really delicious Sour Beers or Belgian Ales.
Get Experimenting!
The best way to bring bold, fresh flavors to any beer is by experimenting with many different fresh fruit purees and spices. All of these unexpected flavor combinations are a great place to start. Get brewing and try out different combinations as well as measurements to find the totally unique beer that you’ve always dreamed of having!
Cred: Craft Beer Club
